Kevin Großkreutz played for Borussia Dortmund for more than six years and then decided to move on to Turkish side Galatasaray Istanbul, on the very last day of the summer transfer window. He follows his national team-mate Lukas Podolski and will play side by side with Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder and ex-Bundesliga player Hamit Altintop.
The 27-year-old had his move blocked, for now, by the FIFA and will not be eligible to play for Galatasaray until end of this year. The reason for this was that football's world governing body, FIFA, believes that Galatasaray had not taken all of the necessary steps to complete the transfer of BVB's fan favourite to the Turkish UEFA Champions League member.
Despite his ineligibility, Großkreutz and Galatasaray still decided to carry out this transfer and accept the penalty from FIFA. Großkreutz is allowed to take part in Galatasaray's training and friendly matches. At the start of the new year, 2016, the Dortmund-born player will be allowed to play in official matches for the Turks.
His words of farewell
On his own Instagram account, Großkreutz said goodbye to all BVB fans with the words that he said as first a big "thanks" to all of them. Including his thanks for "every second [he] was allowed to play for this club." He added, "Thanks for every positive word of cheer."
Großkreutz is thankful that Galatasaray "give [him] the opportunity" that he can still play for an "ambitious, traditional club" with a "sporting challenge" and "to prove himself to everyone" - and especially himself.
At the end of his farewell he "wished that he could "play for the black-and-yellows his whole life", but admitted he needs "game time, confidence and room to breathe".
His last sentence was a quote by BVB's honorary member, Alois Scheffler: "Once a Borusse, always a Borusse!"